Despite the advancement of technology and proliferation of services designed to help us connect with people, there’s still nothing quite like meeting face to face. Industry networking events, whether major conferences and trade shows or just a sponsored brunch, remain vital opportunities to connect with other minds in your field.
That’s why it’s crucial to get as much as you can from any industry event. Here are four tips that can help you do just that.
- Work In Advance – Most of the work you put into an industry event should occur before you leave your house. Decide which sessions and speakers you want to attend in advance and if possible, book ahead. If there’s a listed speaker who interests you, reach out ahead of time and try to secure a meeting before their schedule is filled when they’re distracted by the event.
- Learn To (Social) Network – Even if you’re not active on Twitter, you can bet that most large gatherings will have their own hashtag. Social media is a great way to get the inside scope on what’s happening at the event, and you might find some people with whom you’d like to connect and network. LinkedIn is a useful resource for finding background information on people with whom you’re planning to talk.
- Be Spontaneous – You’ve planned ahead, but don’t let your schedule rule you, and don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. Talk to strangers, make new connections, and go to an event with the right people. These events aren’t really about what you do while you’re there, they’re about the people you get to know.
- Follow Through – Making initial contacts is an important step, but only the first one. Send out emails, connect on LinkedIn, set up meetings for future events. Maintain and nurture your business relationships. The ultimate goal is to build long-term relationships with people who have skills and traits you admire, whose ideas and actions challenge you to be better, and whose experiences and expertise better inform you. Keep this up, and you’ll build a strong professional network. And if you ever need them, some opportunities might just be available.
Trying to make new connections or in need of top talent in the Kansas City area? The team at Morgan Hunter can help. As Kansas City recruiting experts, we have the connections and the expertise to match the industry’s leading job candidates with companies looking to hire. Contact us today to learn more about our recruiting solutions.